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A review by fdarlene491
Tempting Bella by Diana Quincy
2.0
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tempting Bella by Diana Quincy is book two of the Accidental Peers series. Having read a few of Ms Quincy's current books I was "tempted" to check out her earlier work. This story was originally published in September 2013. Historical romances tend to age well if the writer has a pleasing style and doesn't use words in the mode of Shakespeare. Ms Quincy's work has aged just fine.
I mentioned Shakespeare because this plot has a strong sense of The Taming of the Shrew. Sebastian "the saint" Stanhope was, at the ripe old age of 19, married to a 13 year old girl. Her father owed his a huge gambling debt. Sebastian is written as a truly honorable man, faithful, and trying to do the right thing. He left his child bride after the ceremony so she would have a chance to grow up. Alas, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Six years later he's at the opera and is poleaxed by a gorgeous young woman. Turns out she's his wife! Oh dear, this mild mannered guy is in for a fight.
Mirabella "Bella" Wentworth was married and deserted on her very wedding day. The lout hasn't contacted her since. Bella's father gave her away without another thought and that's a rotten childhood. When she meets her "husband" again she's still pissed and resentful. I found Bella to be brittle and stuck in the emotions of a teenager. Sebastian tries throughout the book to prove himself and Bella continues to pitch toddler-like temper tantrums. I do understand how this could have stunted Bella's emotional growth but it still grew a bit old. I enjoyed the story but was just a tad aggravated throughout. On to book 3. Happy reading.
#DianaQuincy #Netgalley #TemptingBella #AccidentalPeers #EntangledPublishing
Tempting Bella by Diana Quincy is book two of the Accidental Peers series. Having read a few of Ms Quincy's current books I was "tempted" to check out her earlier work. This story was originally published in September 2013. Historical romances tend to age well if the writer has a pleasing style and doesn't use words in the mode of Shakespeare. Ms Quincy's work has aged just fine.
I mentioned Shakespeare because this plot has a strong sense of The Taming of the Shrew. Sebastian "the saint" Stanhope was, at the ripe old age of 19, married to a 13 year old girl. Her father owed his a huge gambling debt. Sebastian is written as a truly honorable man, faithful, and trying to do the right thing. He left his child bride after the ceremony so she would have a chance to grow up. Alas, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Six years later he's at the opera and is poleaxed by a gorgeous young woman. Turns out she's his wife! Oh dear, this mild mannered guy is in for a fight.
Mirabella "Bella" Wentworth was married and deserted on her very wedding day. The lout hasn't contacted her since. Bella's father gave her away without another thought and that's a rotten childhood. When she meets her "husband" again she's still pissed and resentful. I found Bella to be brittle and stuck in the emotions of a teenager. Sebastian tries throughout the book to prove himself and Bella continues to pitch toddler-like temper tantrums. I do understand how this could have stunted Bella's emotional growth but it still grew a bit old. I enjoyed the story but was just a tad aggravated throughout. On to book 3. Happy reading.
#DianaQuincy #Netgalley #TemptingBella #AccidentalPeers #EntangledPublishing